K Drama Chat Weekly

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs from our recap: Existence by Wonstein and Warrior by Daniel Ri. How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is getting closer and deeper. How this was a tough episode for Baek Yi-jin. He has lunch with his brother, who is getting bullied by classmates. He nearly misses seeing his dad. He gets caught between Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim. He is embarrassed when Ji Seung-wan recognizes him and remarks that she thought he was rich. The work of Brené Brown on shame, which she calls a master emotion. Shame is the fear that we're not good enough, that we’re not worthy, which is exactly what Baek Yi-jin is feeling and why he promises to never be happy again. The contrast between Baek Yi-jin’s stoic and sad countenance, and Na Hee-do’s confidence and unfailingly cheerful personality. The big news that Na Hee-do will get to compete fo...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we feature in this episode: Very, Slowly by BIBI and Shining Man by Shin Min Yong The many encounters between Hee-do and Yi-jin in this episode The contrast between cheerful and emotional Hee-do and the stoic, sad and burdened Yi-jin How we learn more about Yi-jin’s life: how his family split up, his short stint in the military, his little brother, and how he’s been threatened by his dad’s creditors How Hee-do has achieved her dream of transferring to Yu-rim’s school and now, Yu-rim is cold and hostile towards her The encounter between Hee-do and Yu-rim from five years earlier, when Hee-do beat Yu-rim during a junior fencing competition How we get introduced to the other characters, including Ko Yu-rim, Moon Ji-woong and Ji Seung-wan The gold campaign and how it turns out that Hee-do’s mom did not turn in her wedding rings Th...

Today, we’ll be kicking off Season 4 of K Drama Chat by discussing Episode 1 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song Starlight by Taeil The main actors of the show: Kim Tae-ri Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Ji-yeon, better known by her stage name Bona How age is calculated in Korea vs. internationally, which is why there’s confusion over how old the actors in this show are The origins of the 1990s Asian financial crisis and how it affected South and East Asia The impact of an IMF bailout and austerity measures on countries The South Korea gold campaign The surprising dominance of South Korea in the world of fencing Polite language between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin The large number of K Drama elements we see in this episode: Beautiful actors Crying Flowers Food Alcohol Wrist grabs Clothing and fashion Umbrella scene The challenging mother-daughter relationship between Hee-do and her mom Our favorite lines How much we...

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna and Sung Hee has a conversation with Jeanie Rhim, Sung Hee’s sister. Jeanie specializes in newborn photography and is another K Drama lover. We discuss: The K Drama shows we’re watching now. Our list of K Drama elements (we’re up to 23!) and examples of these elements in our favorite K Dramas. How to say hello in Korean. How the subtitles in K Dramas don’t always match what’s actually being said, especially when it comes to characters’ names and titles. Some common Korean words and phrases to watch out for. Here’s our list of K Drama elements to watch out for: Beautiful actors Crying, by both women and men Gorgeous OSTs (original sound tracks) Food; there's lot of eating in K Dramas Alcohol; drinking by both men and women Beautiful fashion The trip and catch Piggyback rides The back hug Product placements Holding hands The wrist grab Flowers Love triangles Umbrella scene Quirky best friend Deep lean Arm rest Talking to someone sleepin...

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna has a conversation with Professor Ernabel Demillo, Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. We talk about: The many different genres of K Dramas. The K Dramas we’re watching now: Tomorrow, Business Proposal, The Glory. What Ernabel thought about Mr. Sunshine, including the cinematography, the characters, the music, Korea history, and culture. The process that Sung Hee and Joanna use to create our episodes. The K Drama elements that we find in most K Dramas, e.g., umbrella scene, piggyback ride, back hug, deep lean. How Asian American Life is still the only monthly magazine show on broadcast TV devoted to the Asian American diaspora. How Asian American Life explores social issues through the Asian American lens, but also celebrates Asian-American achievements and milestones. The themes that “Asian Am...